Position Summary
Reporting to Finance, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for handling both Canadian and US facilities and will act as a cross-border expert, managing end-to-end payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefits administration across both jurisdictions.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Responsible for Payroll Execution including cross-border. Processing semi-monthly or bi-weekly payrolls for both U.S. and Canadian employees, including hourly and salaried staff. Ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable legislation and company policies.
- Responsible for Payroll Compliance and year-end filings. Managing statutory deductions, ensuring adherence to IRS (U.S.) and CRA (Canada) regulations, and handling year-end tax forms (W-2s, T4s, T4As, and ROEs).
- Utilizing one Payroll system / software to maintain accurate employee records and payroll data.
- Review, validate, and approve semi-monthly payroll, including earnings, deductions, and adjustments.
- Maintain and update employee payroll records, including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, status updates, and organizational transfers.
- Assist in the calculation and process of complex payroll transactions such as bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay, severance, and final payments.
- Act as subject matter expert for payroll-related inquiries, providing guidance to employees, managers, and HR.
- Reconcile payroll registers, general ledger accounts, and benefit deductions; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Lead or support payroll audits (internal and external), ensuring documentation and controls are in place.
- Develop, document, and improve payroll processes, procedures, and internal controls to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Collaborate with HR, Finance, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on compensation, benefits, and reporting requirements.
- Participating in payroll system implementations, upgrades, and testing, including identifying opportunities for automation.
- Special project to consolidate the payroll provider across the group, This will include selection of a vendor, planning, testing, and migration and will involve working with Finance and HR.
- Align payroll practices and processes across the group for consistency.
- Integrate payroll as required for corporate acquisitions.
- Benefits and Leave Administration: Managing health, dental, and retirement plans (401k/RRSP) and handling federal and provincial leave programs.
- Generate and analyze payroll and benefits reports to support business decisions and compliance requirements.
- Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollments, changes, and terminations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Act as the primary liaison with benefits providers, resolving discrepancies and addressing employee inquiries.
- Reconcile benefit invoices and ensure alignment with payroll deductions and employer contributions.
- Support annual benefits renewals, audits, and reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and company policies related to benefits administration.
- Assist in the communication of benefits programs to employees and support education initiatives.
- Other responsibilities as assigned in line with this role
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Experience: 3–10+ years of full-cycle payroll experience, with specific experience in multi-jurisdictional payroll.
- Certifications: Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation is highly valued; Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) is often preferred.
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of labor standards across various U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
- Tools: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
